Silicon Lifeline: Western Electronics at the Heart of Russia's War Machine

Thursday, Jan. 26 // 11:00 am–12:00 pm (ET)

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 has not gone to plan. Launched in the expectation of a surgical occupation of Ukrainian cities, it has become a grinding attritional struggle that is rapidly degrading the Russian military. This report, which contains an examination of the components and functioning of 27 of Russia’s most modern military systems—including cruise missiles, communications systems and electronic warfare complexes—concludes that the degradation in Russian military capability could be made permanent if appropriate policies are implemented.

Join us for a conversation with RUSI experts James Byrne, Gary Somerville, and Dr. Jack Watling (Wilson Center Global Fellow) at the Wilson Center on the findings detailed in their Silicon Lifeline report.

Still To Come This Week

The Absolutely Indispensable Man: Ralph Bunche, the United Nations, and the Fight to End Empire

Monday, Jan. 23 // 4–5:30 pm (ET)

The Absolutely Indispensable Man explores the life of Ralph Bunche, the first black Nobel Laureate and a man who reshaped postwar diplomacy. To many in midcentury America Bunche personified both the promise and perils of the United Nations during the Cold War. Civil rights and colonialism are rarely twinned in our understanding of 20th century politics, but for Bunche they were of a piece–manifestations of white supremacy that required dismantling to achieve a just world.

Venezuela in 2023 and Beyond: Charting a New Course

Wednesday, Jan. 25 // 12:30–1:30 pm (ET)

Venezuela in 2023 and Beyond: Charting a New Course, a new report by the Wilson Center's Latin American Program, urges strong international support for negotiations between Venezuela’s authoritarian government and the democratic opposition to open the way to humanitarian relief, the release of political prisoners, economic recovery, and the gradual return of democracy and peaceful coexistence. Join the Latin American Program and Chatham House of London for a virtual conversation on the Venezuela negotiations and the role of the international community.

Book Talk | Replacing the Dead: The Politics of Reproduction in the Postwar Soviet Union

Thursday, Jan. 26 // 8:30–9:30 am (ET)

In this book talk, Mie Nakachi will present her book Replacing the Dead and examine the hidden process that created a law undermining the well-being of women and children, while fundamentally affecting Soviet family and gender relations for generations. She will argue that women’s quiet mass resort to illegal abortion eventually mobilized Soviet doctors to recognize women’s right to abortion and push through legalization in 1955.

Achieving Security in the Arctic: the Role of DHS and its Components

Thursday, Jan. 26 // 1:30–3:15 pm (ET)

Join the Wilson Center’s Polar Institute for a conversation with DHS Deputy Secretary John Tien on DHS’s unique and significant role in the Arctic region. This chat will be followed by a panel of experts from DHS agencies who will discuss DHS’s role in upholding the NSAR’s pillars through maritime security, disaster preparedness and recovery, and law enforcement collaboration.